The Land of Painted Caves - Jean M. Auel [247]
“You know the men who have been causing so much trouble, stealing and forcing women, and killing people?’ he asked.
“Yes,” the man replied. “We have just been talking about them.”
“Well, we have them,” Demoryn said, and signaled some men who had been designated to watch them. They were brought forward. The woman who had accused them of killing her mate and harming her came with them. “This one’s name is Balderan. He’s their leader.”
All the zelandonia looked at the four men whose hands were tied together. They noted the unkempt look of the men, but the woman Zelandoni of the First Cave wanted something more than appearance upon which to judge them.
“How do you know they are the ones?” the woman Zelandoni asked.
“Because I was one who was forced, after they killed my mate,” the woman said.
“And you are?”
“I am Aremina, of the Third Cave of the Zelandonii That Watches Over the Most Ancient Sacred Site,” she said.
“What she says is true,” the male Zelandoni of the Third Cave of Watchers said. “She was pregnant at the time and also lost her baby.” He turned to Demoryn. “We have been talking about them, and were trying to think of a plan to find them. How did you catch them?”
“It was the First’s acolyte,” Demoryn said. “They tried to attack her, but didn’t understand who she is.”
“Who is she besides the First’s acolyte?” the Zelandoni of the First Cave of Watchers said.
Demoryn turned to Willamar. “Why don’t you explain?”
“Well,” Willamar said, “I wasn’t there, so I can only tell you what I was told, but I believe it. I know that Ayla is an extremely skilled hunter with both a stone-slinging weapon, and a spear-throwing weapon, which was devised by her mate, Jondalar. She’s also the one who controls the wolf, and the horses, although her mate and child also do. Apparently, when these men tried to attack her, she bruised them with stones, although she can kill with stones if she chooses. Then Jondalar came with his spear-thrower. When one of them tried to run away, she sent the wolf to stop him. I’ve seen them work together hunting. Those men didn’t have a chance.”
“All the visitors use the spear-throwing weapon—Jondalar has promised to show us how—and when they went hunting, they were too lucky,” Demoryn continued. “Each one brought down a bison. They killed nine of them. That’s a lot of meat; bison are big animals. That’s why we’re bringing you a large load of meat, for your First Cave and for your zelandonia meeting.
“As for these men, once they were caught, we weren’t sure what to do with them. Aremina thought they should be killed, since they killed her mate. Perhaps she’s right. But we didn’t know who should do the killing, or how. We all know how to kill animals that the Great Mother has given us so that we can live, but the Mother does not condone killing people. I didn’t know if we should be the ones to kill them. It may bring bad luck to our Cave if we do, or if we didn’t do it correctly. We thought the zelandonia should decide, so we brought them here.”
“I think that was wise, don’t you?” the First Among Those Who Served said. “It’s fortunate that you are having a meeting so that all of you can discuss it and come to a decision.”
She’s letting them know that she doesn’t plan to take over just because she’s the First, Ayla thought, but she will be interested in what they do.
“I certainly hope you will be staying and will offer your counsel,” said the Zelandoni of the First Cave of Sacred Site Watchers.
“Thank you. I would like that. This is not an easy problem to work out. We are here because I am taking my acolyte on her Donier Tour. I hope someone will be able to guide us through your Sacred Site. I have seen it only once before, but I have never forgotten it. Not only is it the Most Ancient, it is unbelievably beautiful, both the cave itself and the images that have been painted on the walls. They honor the Great Mother,” the First said with feeling that conveyed her conviction.
“Of course. We have